Top 10 cultural must-sees this summer
Summer is the perfect time to explore the cultural events and attractions the UK has to offer. Whether you're a fan of music, theatre, art, or history, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Check out our top 10 cultural must-sees located near The QHotels Collection.
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1. The Holloway Garden Theatre, Stratford
13 minute walk from DoubleTree by Hilton Stratford-upon-Avon
15 minute drive from Stratford Manor Hotel
The popular theatre returns to the Swan Gardens for a limited time this summer with an 80-minute staging of William Shakespeare’s, As You Like It.
Enjoy this timeless comedy in the beautiful outdoor setting, where traditional romance is playfully overthrown, and gender roles, nature, and politics are whimsically intertwined. This edited version is perfect for both newcomers to Shakespeare and those looking to experience his work in a unique setting.
Available from 18 July - 1 September 2024.
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2. Wilderness Festival, Oxfordshire
50 minute drive from Oxford Belfry Hotel
A ticket to Wilderness at Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire's countryside is a pass to a mini paradise where art, music, fine food, and nature converge.
This festival offers as much attention to food, theatre, fitness, and the great outdoors as it does to its stellar music line-up. Enjoy trapeze artists, live theatre, wild swimming in Lake Majestic, muggle quidditch, disco dodgeball, and specialist yoga classes.
Visit from 1 and 4 August 2024.
Find out more
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3. Blists Hill Victorian Town, Shropshire
6 minute drive from The Telford Hotel
This summer, step back in time and experience the Victorian seaside at Blists Hill. Despite being land-locked, the town recreates the traditional seaside atmosphere with donkeys, a stage show, and live entertainment. It's a perfect family outing that brings the beach to you.
Don't miss exploring the recreated Victorian town at Ironbridge Valley, which includes shops, cottages, and authentic food, all brought to life by costumed actors.
Visit from 20 July 2024 – 1 September 2024.
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4. Time Horizon Exhibition, Norfolk
60 minute drive from Dunston Hall
Sir Antony Gormley, renowned for his iconic Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead, has unveiled his latest masterpiece exploring the relationship between art and landscape at Houghton Hall.
Spread across the grounds of this 18th-century estate, you'll discover one hundred life-size cast iron figures, each moulded from the artist's own body. The installation invites visitors to engage deeply, with some sculptures partially buried within the grounds.
Available for viewing until 31 October 2024
Plan your visit
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5. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland
60 minute drive from Glasgow Westerwood Hotel
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a three-week celebration of performing arts held annually in August. Originating in 1947 with just eight theatre groups, it has since grown into the world's largest arts festival.
The city comes alive as artists and performers from around the globe take to hundreds of stages, offering shows spanning every genre imaginable. From established names to emerging talent, the Fringe showcases theatre, comedy, dance, circus, cabaret, children's shows, and more.
Available from 2 – 26 August 2024.
Plan your visit
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6. Botticelli Exhibition, Cambridge
20 minute drive from Cambridge Belfry Hotel
The Fitzwilliam Museum’s new display centres around Sandro Botticelli’s masterpiece, Venus and Mars, exploring themes of sex, power, gender, and the body through classical mythology and Italian art.
Discover a selection of Renaissance works alongside the iconic painting of Venus and Mars. This marks a rare opportunity to see the exhibition outside of London, where it has been a beloved piece at the National Gallery since 1874.
Available for viewing until 10 September 2024.
Find out more
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7. Stonehenge, Wiltshire
30 minute drive from Norton Park
Discover the incredible story behind one of the world's most iconic landmarks. Stonehenge stands as a remarkable testament to human ingenuity, imagination, and creativity. As you walk among the Neolithic houses and the stone circle, you'll follow in the footsteps of prehistoric people who lived here 4,000 years ago.
Delve deeper into the world-class exhibition and explore the wider Stonehenge landscape with its numerous monuments and mysteries.
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8. Stoke-on-Trent Sculpture Trail, Stoke
20 minute drive from Crewe Hall
Explore Stoke-on-Trent's Sculpture Trail, featuring imaginative public artworks with themes of inspiration, great people, and local history.
Highlights include Spitfire designer Reginald Mitchell and Wolfgang Buttress's 'Golden: the flame that never dies.' The 20-meter tall sculpture is adorned with over 1,000 hand-blown glass prisms containing memories and wishes by hundreds of people in the local community.
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9. The Corinium Museum, Cirencester
25 minute drive from Cheltenham Chase Hotel
Nestled in the Cotswolds, the museum offers a gateway to the rich history of Roman Britain. Located on the site of one of the largest Roman towns in England, it showcases a remarkable collection of Roman artefacts, bringing ancient life to the forefront with interactive exhibits.
Don't miss the nearby Roman amphitheatre off Cotswold Avenue, a listed ancient monument, and the Roman Villa at Chedworth, the largest such find in the UK.
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10. Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
6-minute drive from Chesford Grange
Discover tales of epic sieges and royal scandals at the magnificent Kenilworth Castle. Once a formidable medieval fortress, it was later transformed into a splendid Elizabethan palace.
Today, you can explore the imposing medieval keep, climb the Tudor towers, stroll through the unique Elizabethan garden, and immerse yourself in history with the family-friendly exhibition. Highlights include the breath-taking views from Elizabeth I’s private rooms and the marble fountain in the garden.